Benedictine leads local signings with Houston, Spivey

Sixteen Coastal Empire athletes land college football scholarships.

For four years Galen Houston embraced discipline and order at Benedictine Military School to achieve his goals, whether as lieutenant colonel in Junior ROTC or as linebacker on the field.

Naturally, he arrived for his appointment Wednesday in the school's media center straight-faced in his dress uniform at 10 a.m. sharp.

The time had arrived to pledge his acceptance of new drills in the classroom and a new uniform on the field for four years to follow at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C.

"I took a lot of extra work and time," said Houston, after he signed his letter of intent to play for the Division II Bears. "It's what you do in the weight room and the classroom.

"I'm ready for the challenge. I thrive on challenges."

Benedictine defensive end Galen Houston signs a letter of intent to attend Shaw University while his mother Rhonda, sister Camile and coach Tommy Brackett look on Wednesday morning during National Signing Day.

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

Houston was one of 16 Coastal Empire students to take part in the ritualistic National Signing Day, featuring high school seniors scribbling their names on football scholarship intent letters. Benedictine led Savannah schools with two athletes signing scholarships. Eight more Region 3-AAAAA players signed from Camden County.

Joining Houston was Jared Spivey, who enrolled early at the University of Central Florida this semester to get a head start on his studies and football workouts. Spivey is Savannah's only Division I signee.

His parents Marshall and Bridge Spivey were present at the ceremony to congratulate Houston, who was accompanied by his mother Rhonda. The Spiveys also gave interviews for Jared since he could not spare the time away from school in Orlando, Fla.

To enter early, Spivey had to cram a couple of Brigham Young online courses last year, as well as receive the NCAA's approval through its clearinghouse.

"That's a compliment to him and to Benedictine that academically, he was ready and athletically he was ready," said BC coach Tommy Brackett. "Apparently, we're doing something right. Today's kid comes in here with aspirations and dreams to play in college. When you have signees, it's a real measuring stick. We went 4-6 and we have two."

Jared Spivey

Student-athletes from Beach and Groves also signed letters of intent.

Groves' quarterback Sage Glasper, who won the Mike Finocchiaro Memorial Outstanding Football Player of the Year award for 2003, will attend Division II Albany State.

Glasper, led the Rebels to the playoffs for the first time since 1974, rushing for 1,107 yards and 20 touchdowns in two seasons. He also completed 77 of 187 passes for more than 1,000 yards passing during that time.

"Sage has always been a golden boy," his mother, Orrie Evans said. "We always knew athletics were in his future. We had no doubts. He just took it and ran with it."

Glasper signed his letter at a table with his Groves helmet in front of him and his white playing jersey behind him. Dozens of football stickers on his head gear symbolized his accomplishments at quarterback.

Six-foot-six, 280-pound Raymond Gabriel Jr. knows exactly where he is going  on the defensive or offensive line.

With his proud parents and sister standing behind him, the Beach High senior signed his letter of intent to attend Division II Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Like BC's Houston, who carries a 3.8 grade-point average, Gabriel's focus will start with the books.

"It was a long process," said Gabriel, who has a 86.5 grade average. "Education-wise, they have one of the best business programs in the country.

"My first mind-set is to do well in the classroom and then on the football field."

Gabriel wore dress slacks and a tie with a yellow jacket  Beach school colors  for the big moment. He signed with a pen lent to him by Ulysses Hawthorne, his high school coach.

"This is what I enjoy watching," Hawthorne said, just before giving Gabriel his cue for the cameras. "One, two, three, roll."

Gabriel, Glasper and Houston were among 16 Coastal Empire players to sign Wednesday. Six signed with Division I-A schools, highlighted by Bradwell Institute linebacker Gary Guyton and Metter free safety Eric Williams, who signed with Georgia Tech.

The others were Brunswick linebacker Kenny Mainor with Troy State and Swainsboro linebacker Tavares Jones, Swainsboro running back Albert Webb and Wayne County linebacker Tommie Weatherspoon with Middle Tennessee State.

Three Camden County players also signed with Division I schools  defensive back Djay Jones with Georgia Tech, defensive back Kevin Patterson with Wake Forest and fullback Josh Maxwell with Troy State.

The top local player was South Effingham kicker Patrick Bolen, who signed with Georgia Southern.

Jones and Webb chose Middle Tennessee State last weekend after going an official trip to the Murfreesboro, Tenn., school. Guyton and Williams verbally committed to Georgia Tech last summer.

Perhaps no one was happier than Webb, The 5-foot-8, 165-pounder rushed for 2,076 yards and scored 18 touchdowns this season, earning him Savannah Morning News Coastal Empire Offensive Player of the Year honors. But most of the larger schools shied away from recruiting him because of his size.

"When I got up this morning, I was feeling great,'' Webb said shortly after signing at 9:45 a.m. "I've got the biggest smile in the world on my face right now. It's just a day that you dream of."Webb said his lack of height didn't bother the Middle Tennessee State coaching staff.

"My running backs coach (Floyd Walker) is shorter than me  he's 5-3,'' Webb said. "He played at Middle Tennessee. They don't care about the height, they care about the heart  can the player play at this level? They think I can do that and I know I can.''

Overall, the 2004 Class consists of 24 area players from 14 schools, including eight from Camden County. Benedictine, Screven County and Swainsboro had two each, while Beach, Bradwell, Brunswick, Glynn Academy, Groves, Metter, South Effingham, Toombs County, Vidalia and Wayne County had one apiece.

Ten players signed with Division I schools, three with Division I-AA, 10 with Division II and one with a junior college.

Two players were committed prior to the start of the official signing period Wednesday. Benedictine fullback Jared Spivey has already enrolled at Central Florida after finishing high school early. Vidalia defensive tackle Eric McLendon, the Savannah Morning News Coastal Empire Defensive Player of the Year and considered the state's top prospect, has already enrolled at California's Reedley (Junior) College. The 6-5, 290-pounder originally intended to go to Hargrave Military School in Chatham, Va., to get his grades up, but chose to go to junior college because it offered the fastest route to Division I.